Prospective Students

Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School graduates Richard "Corky" Emberson and Alyssa Swan have been recognized by the College of Education and Professional Studies at Eastern Illinois University as the 2014 Leadership & Service Award winner and the 2014 Hamand Award winner, respectively.

— Richard "Corky" Emberson, a 1990 graduate of PBL High School, is the superintendent of recreation at the Urbana Park District, serving in that capacity since 2009. He is responsible for the recreation department's programs, facilities, personnel and budget management.

Stephenville High School senior Matt Dietrich said he knows exactly what he wants to do after graduation and how he plans to get there. The 17-year-old son of David and Janet Dietrich said he is headed to the University of North Texas in Denton after crossing the stage at Tarleton Memorial Stadium in a few weeks.

"I'm going to UNT to study computer sciences," Dietrich said. "It's a good career field and UNT is one of the best schools around here to study it, so I'm not worried about getting a job afterwards."

In his free time, Dietrich likes to hang out with friends and play video games when they aren't working on...

Ascension Academy senior Casey Crosson is one of five Amarillo students to be named a McKnight Leaders Scholar of Oklahoma State University. If she accepts, Crosson will receive a four-year waiver of out-of-state tuition fees, $10,000 in scholarships over the first two years, and opportunities to develop leadership skills through exclusive courses and seminars.

Crosson, the daughter of Ken and Patty Crosson of Amarillo, has attended Ascension Academy since the eighth grade, when her family moved to town. She is involved in numerous activities, including Junior Classical League, National Honors Society, Texas...

ARLINGTON — Refocusing the governor’s race on education, state Sen. Wendy Davis on Thursday rolled out a slate of “common sense reforms” geared to put more teachers in classrooms throughout the state.

Davis, D-Fort Worth, spoke of six education proposals — including early college acceptance for top-performing high school juniors who commit to a teaching career — during an education roundtable at the University of Texas in Arlington.

“I do believe education must be the No. 1 priority we address as a state,” Davis said during her first talk detailing some of her education initiatives. “Texas leadership hasn’t really...